RAIN AND WET ROCK The sandstone in Red Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. MORE INFO >>>

Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby. ***** HUMAN WASTE ***** Human waste is one of the major issues plaguing Red Rocks. The Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council identified this problem years ago and has worked to provide "wag bags" free of charge in several locations (Black Velvet, First Pullout, Kraft Mtn/Bouldering, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor). These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out - consider bringing one to be part of your kit (just like your rope and shoes and lunch) no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly (do not throw them in the toilets at the parking areas). This project was funded primarily by the American Alpine Club

This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund,
and Mountain Project.You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates.

Red Rock

Red Rock: a few thousand routes, generally warm weather, every kind climbing from short sport routes to big 20-pitch outings, nearby Las Vegas for off-rock activities. Who could ask for more?

***** RAIN AND WET ROCK ***** The sandstone in Red Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

***** HUMAN WASTE ***** Human waste is one of the major issues plaguing Red Rocks. The Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council identified this problem years ago and has worked to provide "wag bags" free of charge in several locations (Black Velvet, First Pullout, Kraft Mtn/Bouldering, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor). These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out - consider bringing one to be part of your kit (just like your rope and shoes and lunch) no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly (do not throw them in the toilets at the parking areas). This project was funded primarily by the American Alpine Club.

***** LATE EXIT PASSES *****Note that the scenic loop drive access is limited by the BLM. Schedule is as follows: November through February 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April through September 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (details at BLM link: blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_p...

It is easy to be late returning to your car, and the tickets are expensive. The BLM has a "Late Exit" system in place to allow climbers extra time before they must exit the scenic loop road. Full details are on the BLM recording at 702-515-5050. Here's what to do:

Call the Late Exit Permit Line at 702-515-5050.

You can call up to seven days prior to your climb. If you can get a cell phone signal (but don't count on this), you can call as late as 4:00 p.m. on the day of your climb. Be prepared to recite the following information to the answering machine:

All climbers should take advantage of this excellent resource. Any number of unexpected things can cause you to run late on a climb. Don't let your trip get ruined with an expensive, but avoidable, parking ticket.

Commerical and Large Groups (>15)If you're interested in acquiring a permit to operate within Red Rocks as a commercial entity or as an organized group larger than 15 in size, please see the BLM permits.

This route is probably the most popular multi-pitch route in Red Rocks, and always seems to be swarming with parties. For many years I avoided the route because it always seemed mobbed. Then, on a day when the wind was screaming down the canyon we figured nobody would be on it. Wrong! Another party at the base. We still had a fun time and everyone was very friendly and nobody was in a rush. Good to adopt this attitude on this route - if it's high season it's going to be crowded.This route ...[more]Browse More Classics in NV

Bryson, try redrockcanyonlv.org/faq.htm. Camping was $10/night last time I stayed there. On the positive side, there's potable water, clean pit toilets, and it's pretty close to the entrance loop. However, the sites are not wind or sun-protected and the campground as a whole is not very scenic. As they say, a picture says a thousand words.

As an alternative to camping, you might want to try hotels.com as well - it's not uncommon to find rooms for $35 per night on Sun-Thurs. If you can get a good deal, I highly recommend the Artisan Hotel at the corner of I-15 and Sahara. Great rooms, killer lounge bar, funky ambiance, and non-smoking.

I've always called it "Red Rocks" (as per the red Urioste and subsequent Swain guidebooks), although the official name is the "Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (RRCNCA)". The locals call it "Red Rock" and are quick to point out that you must be a non-local if you call it "Red Rocks" (think "Buena Vista, CO"). "Red Rock Canyon" seems like the best option for this site. What do you think, Larry?

Additional info: Desert Rock Sports on W. Charleston is the place to go for gear, guidebooks, etc. The old owner, Mike Ward, sold the shop about a year ago, and they moved a few doors down. The Powerhouse Gym is located in the same strip mall and provides showers for a small fee. Trader Joe's is located at 2101 S. Decatur and has great food, wine, coffee, cheese (much of it organically-grown) at excellent prices.

The Sunflower Market is also great if you like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods type grocery items. They have a huge selection of fruits and vegetables, wide aisles, and less crowded. Their prices seem more reasonable too. 4020 S. Rainbow Blvd Located on the NE corner of Flamingo and S. Rainbow Blvd. Store Hours: Monday-Sunday 7 AM - 10 PM Phone: 702-876-4888

Hi Folks I'm close to completing a new guidebook to Red Rocks, (yes another one). I've got room for a few more shots and have too many of my friends already, so I'd like to get a few new faces in there. I'm looking for shots of leaders on multi pitch canyon routes in particular, but any nice shot will do. 4 mp digital is probably the minimum, I can use slides as well. Any new route information is welcome. If its in the canyons and bolts are involved send it anonymously, so that neither I nor the BLM know who you are!. My E-Mail is jerryhandren@earthlink.net.

----------------- The kind folks over at the BLM have published a bunch of data about the climbing routes within the conservation area. It has some pretty incredible photos of walls with route locations.

It is not a substitute for a guidebook, but might be a nice complement for finding routes. It's worth looking over.

based on the conversation I just had on the phone with the park they are open until 7pm that is the time that the law enforcer comes to hunt ya down. I think it is always a good idea to get the permit just in case. Shit happens when your out there. it costs nothing to obtain a late exit permit.

I recently picked up a copy of the new Jerry Handren guide and it is excellent! My biggest complaint is the text size - it is incredibly small. I would estimate 8pt font. I think Red Rocks is getting too large for a single guidebook. The climbing naturally splits between trad and sport, and it makes sense now to have a separate guide for each. I'm sure all the sport climbers have little interest in the extra pages devoted to all the new 5.8 trad routes, and similarly us trad climbers have little interest in hard sport routes.

The only thing I see lacking in this guide is it does not address runout potential very well in many routes I am familiar with. Very rarely does one see an "R" attached to any route. Often any runouts are mentioned in the text, but I would like to see it in the rating as well. Safe sport routes are identified as such, but I am referring to trad routes.

Question about critters in Oak Creek Canyon; I was coming down through the canyon (11/5/09) and noticed there were what appeared to be large pools of urine on many of the boulders on the canyon floor. Does anyone have any idea what type of animal might have done this? I don't think it was human because I am pretty sure I was the only one in the canyon that day. I was descending from Solar Slab and was a little nervous, but don't really know what kind of critter it might have been. Many thanks for an answer.

Hey, what are some of you red rock locals favorite link ups for a day. Somewhere in the 10 range. Lots of mileage.As much sun as possible, from wyoming though so can handle the freezing temps to. Straight forward descents since it gets dark early. Looking for some info. Will be down there for four days of climbing and would like to know what you think. Have climbed pretty extensively down there but have never done any links outside of solar slab to the eagle dance. thanks for the beta

I am hoping someone with knowledge of Red Rocks, NV routes could provide some suggestions. I'm looking to take my son on his first wall and trying to find a reasonable wall in the area similar to Moonlight or Prodigal in Zion. In other words reasonable aid C1/C2+, 5.8/5.9, preferably hammer free, that could typically be completed in a couple days (Grade IV/V). I'm searching for alternatives to Zion because of the various wall closures there this autumn which kind of blows the calendar for us. It's great to see all the high end free routes in the guides but very unfortunately few mentions of aid options. Guide book authers: this reader would like to see references to original ratings when possible. (e.g. 5.9/A2 old school now often only referenced as free 5.12a) Thanks for any suggestions.

Unfortunately, Red Rock really isnt known for its aid walls- the nature of the sandstone lends itself much more to free climbing than aid.

I would recommend the Original Route on Rainbow Wall, but the honest truth is that its much better as a free climb for the 5.10 leader who doesnt mind pulling on bolts/good gear now and then.

The general Rainbow Wall vicinity is probably your best bet. Buffalo Wall is the other wall, but the aid tends to be harder/scarier and only one or two routes up there have even seen second ascents, let alone traffic. Theres piles of aid routes on the Rainbow Wall and the only route up there that sees free climbers on a regular basis is the Original Route.

For aid practice in Red Rocks, a good little climb is the first part of Plan F on Ragged Edges wall.

www.mountainproject.com/v/nevada/red_rock/willow_spring/105733169

It's steep enough and you can practice jumaring too. September is the perfect time to climb Prodigal Sun. I would say Moonlight Buttress is an easier aid climb than Prodigal Sun, but October might be better for that one.

If you have the slightest doubt you might be late getting back to your car simply call up the ranger line and give them your route, and car info. this has worked everytime for us in the past. have never received a bunk ticket.

Any advice on transport from airport to RR? Flying in but need a ride out to meet up with partner. Taxis, buses, etc? My buddy can pick me up somewhere close by but doesn't want to drive to the airport during the hours I'll be arriving.

Um, a taxi will cost a fortune- i'm sure all of $50 one way, if not more to the edge of town. Buses- I have no idea if they run in/out of the airport. You can check the Regional Transportation Commissions' (RTC)website for bus schedule/routes and maybe catch a cab to a close-by route where you can ride to the edge of town. The closest bus station to Red Rock is likely somewhere near Charleston/215.

we have found the easiest way to pick up a late comer at the airport is actually to jump the shuttle bus to the car rental garage and pick them up at the curb no traffic easy on/off 215 , and of coarse its a free ride

The extreme management (i.e. closing access every evening and flushing people out) of the loop seems unjustified to me - nowhere else is BLM or even NPS land so strictly controlled. Does anyone know why? Were people dumping bodies out there in the 70's?

@nate: It is a bit extreme, but being that close to an urban area of 1.6M makes it necessary to have stronger regs, as well as not having a huge budget for rangers. Given the graffiti problem in the Calico as it is, for example, having the loop open all the time would 'probably' increase that. Ideas for a more streamlined, mobile-friendly late exit system have been discussed for awhile, but without significant public input, may never be implemented. If you have some ideas, feel free to let the BLM know. A good person to contact is Mark Spencer, Field Manager. His office is : Red Rock/Sloan Field Office 4701 N. Torrey Pines Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89130 m1spence@blm.gov 702.515.5351

Or feel free to contact your local representative, and have them convey your thoughts to the NV congressmen and the BLM.

At the Front Corridor crag, does anyone know what the mixed route is that seems to be two routes to climber's left of Man's Best Friend? I climbed it the other day and it was 3 bolts from the start and then trad up a right-facing flake, traverse right along a horizontal crack, then up a left-facing corner then traverse a short way over a bulge up to chains. I can't seem to find this route anywhere.

There has been some confusion in the past, which we hope to dispel... The Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue team DOES NOT charge for its services. We are part of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, a tax-funded public safety agency. Don't hesitate to call us if you get in trouble.

The best way to reach us is by dialling 9-1-1. An emergency operator may be able to collect GPS coordinates from your cell phone.

Regarding Accommodations and transportation. I live very close to Red Rock and rent a spare bedroom out of my house through airbnb.com. My guests are almost exclusively climbers and for transportation most of my them rent cars but at least a few have opted take the Red Rock Casino airport shuttle bus from the airport to casino and then walk ten minutes to my house. This may be a good option whether you stay at my place or intend to take a cab from the casino to your final destination. The shuttle is free but remember to tip the shuttle driver becuase hey, you'll be saving a $60 cab ride so you can afford a nice tip. The Shuttle normally makes its circle once every other hour but I recommend calling the bell desk at the casino to confirm times).

since the camping grounds all have poor reviews, how is the Situation for budget hotels around the area? I tried finding some at hotelscheap.org but they are either too expansive for my likes, or too far away. I dont have high standards, no luxury needed. All i need is a clean bed and a shower, and as i said, the closer the better

Every time I come back to Red Rock(s) I am simply awed at how terrific it is. I am partial to the long, moderate 'desert alpine' climbs but so many other options exist that you could literally climb here full-time for a decade and not tap the full potential.

The name debate is entertaining. It was called Red Rocks for a long time, even by the locals. Only recently have some people begun calling it Red Rock. It doesn't matter much what you call it, just get out there and climb it.

The BLM mamagement of the area isn't optimal for climbers, hence the limited loop road hours and limited camping. However, I'm from the Boulder, CO area and it isn't any better in Eldorado Canyon so I can't complain. A great option at Red Rock(s) is to camp in the desert: either off Hwy 160 (on the left side) at free camp sites half-way up to the Spring Mountain Pass (about a mile past the right turn off for the Black Velvet area), or over the pass down into Pahrump Valley where an entire city of climbers can camp for free in the open deseert. The first option is only 15 minutes from the RR gates, and the second option is about 30 - 45 minutes.

But hey, clearly we all have way too much time on our hands. I understand why people make the mistake, including the guidebook authors, due to the fact that a long time ago climbers used to refer to Red Rock as the "Red Rocks of Southern Nevada." The old Urioste Guide is evidence of this.

Red Rock or Red Rocks or whatever you want to call it, is a great place to climb.

For those looking for a place to stay near Red Rocks, we had a great experience with Tiffany using airbnb. Her house is about a 15 minute drive out to the Red Rocks area and is reasonably priced. A great neighborhood, a beautiful house and all the amenities - a real bed, kitchen, showers, TV and wi-fi. Check it out - let her know Leslie & Paul referred you!!

Any thoughts on living in a stealthy van in the Red Rock(s) Las Vega(s) area from Dec to Mar? Including but not limited to trailer park / parking space rental? I'm a travel nurse and on work days I usually stay in employee parking and am out of town for the remaining days. I've visited Vegas many times and stayed in the Wasteland that is the standard camping and at Black Velvet.

I'm not too aggressive about it... I wish there were signs that said allow faster traffic to pass. My climbing partner is a crazy driver.... I think we have made passes in the skinnier areas... it would be nice if they put a express lane straight out after the 3rd pullout.... I heard there is a preposal for that.

A gracious guest who stayed at my house through Airbnb suggested that I post a direct link to my Airbnb listing.

About half of my guests visit Red Rock Canyon to hike, bike, rock climb, and sightsee. My house is about a 5-10 minute drive from the Canyon. Check out my listing to see the many excellent reviews my guests have left and to read more details about the second master suite and other amenities. Location, location, location with lots of privacy :-)

Just want to give a shout out for a great place to eat 3 miles south of the Reds Scenic Loop/159 intersection: the Bonnie Springs Ranch Resort. Its an old-timy western scene that has plenty of beer, excellent bison burgers, good service, and funky ambiance. Sort of like the joints outside J Tree.